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tried to explain, but stumbled over my words. One was a question of making good a pledge, of honor. No question of honor was involved in the other. Custom must hold except under a stronger compulsion.
    They contested me eagerly, stumbling not over their own words but each other’s in their anxiety to prove me wrong. They were both much readier tongued than I was, and their combined attack, with Edmund reinforcing Blodwen and Blodwen putting Edmund’s argument again but more sharply, overwhelmed me. I did my best, doggedly, to maintain my stand.
    Edmund said, laughing: “The one thing he really believes in is the Prince’s will. This Prince’s will,anyway! He will break the customs he wants to break, and nobly uphold the rest.”
    â€œThe Prince’s will, indeed!” Blodwen said. “And what of the Princess’s? Does my will count for nothing?”
    â€œNot against this tyrant,” Edmund said. “But if you beg it of him prettily, he may grant it you as a favor. It is worth trying.”
    They were both laughing. In mock humility Blodwen dropped to her knees and bowed her head.
    â€œMy Lord,” she said, the tone piteous, “will you grant your handmaiden, out of your greatness and nobility, this humble plea?”
    I lifted her to her feet, laughing myself. “You will soil your gown.”
    â€œNot in Winchester,” she said. “Your floors may be of plain wood but I notice they are well scrubbed. Well, Luke?”
    â€œYou can have your way,” I said, “though Strohan, my butler, will very likely die of shock when he hears. The ladies will be at the banquet.”
    â€œGood!” she said. “I look forward to seeing them. I think a man may be well judged by his lady. I am anxious to see Edmund’s.”
    â€œI have none,” he said.
    Her eyes widened. “Not even one in prospect?”
    â€œI have been kept too busy by Luke, what with expeditions into the barbarous north and battles against the city’s enemies.”
    â€œBut you must bring someone, now that the great Prince has given way to us!”
    â€œI can bring my sister, I suppose.”
    â€œThen do so! A sister may tell one something about a man as well. Perhaps more than his lady could.”
    I watched them and was happy. I did not mind being bested in such a thing as this and by such a pair: my betrothed bride and my best friend.
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    She could charm anyone when she set out to. I need not have worried about Strohan; he was already her besotted slave. The banquet was a great success and so were all the other receptions, whether at the palace or in visiting the city’s nobles. People opened to her, like flowers to the visiting sun.
    And since she was not one of those who put on a show, of ceremony or graciousness, she was as winning in small intimate gatherings as in more formalones. She was interested in the diversity of mankind, and loved to hear men talk of their ideas and beliefs. With Blodwen to draw them out, they talked readily enough.
    She said one day something about asking someone to join us for supper in her apartments and I nodded absently. My mind at that time was preoccupied with a captaincy that had fallen vacant and the various claims of those who should be considered for the place. She said:
    â€œI must make inquiries in case there are things he cannot eat. In my country the Christians do not eat meat on one day in the week. They may have some such rule here also.”
    â€œNot eat meat? But if they are Christians I suppose it does not matter: they do not have to swing a sword.” I realized, belatedly, what she had said. “But you are not asking Christians to dine here?”
    She said, scolding: “You have not been listening to what I said. Not just Christians. Their Bishop.”
    â€œBut you cannot do so, Blodwen,” I said. “I know little of the Christians in your country, but